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Opinion

 

Ethics and Religion Talk: Should congregations welcome sexual offenders?

Submitted 10-09-2017 under OPINION

Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “West Michigan Hindu Temple has not had to deal with this issue up to date so I have to speculate on this one. Before anything we must understand that...

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Is ArtPrize hurting our homeless population?

Submitted 10-05-2017 under OPINION

As ArtPrize 9 is underway the streets of Grand Rapids flood with thousands of art-lovers pushed into every over-pass, under-pass, crevice and walkway in hopes of viewing art that will inspire and entertain. To the average Grand Rapidian or tourist...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What to do after a miscarriage? (Part 2)

Submitted 10-02-2017 under OPINION

Many people don’t realize that approximately 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most, however, take place in the first trimester. Second trimester miscarriages are much less common. My heart and the hearts of the Ethics and Religion Talk...

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Harmony: Community-building and the music industry panel discussions

Submitted 09-26-2017 under OPINION

On Friday, September 22, 2017, the final event of ArtPrize 2017 Artist Week concluded with the event Harmony: Community-Building and the Music Industry. Harmony: Community-Building and the Music Industry was a series of panel discussions presented...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What to do after a miscarriage? (Part 1)

Submitted 09-25-2017 under OPINION

We are still in mourning and quite sad, yet also continually grateful for our other three children and grateful for the kindness and compassion of our family, friends, and caregivers. My wife and I are now pondering questions of what happens after...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Does religious freedom mean exemption from the law?

Submitted 09-18-2017 under OPINION

Wouldn't this allow religions to justify polygamy, race and sex discrimination, drug use, prostitution, or any other law they didn't like, to the detriment of civil society? Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West...

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City, GRPD must seek independent investigations into police call recordings to rebuild public trust, transparency

Submitted 09-15-2017 under OPINION

Yesterday, after months of fighting in court, the City was forced to release 5 recorded phone conversations between Officer’s Adam Ickes, Thomas Warwick, and the now fired Lt. Michael Janiskee. These conversations were related to a November...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Senior relationships

Submitted 09-11-2017 under OPINION

But, we have a passionate side to our friendship. We don’t want to have sex. We just enjoy hugging and making out a little. Why is wrong if we love each other and have no intention to cross the line? I think it is unreasonable and unhealthy to...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: The Charlie Gard Case

Submitted 09-05-2017 under OPINION

The parents wanted to take him out of the United Kingdom for treatment. The hospital took the parents to court to prevent them from doing so. Ultimately, he died at the end of July after additional court battles regarding the parents’ desire...

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We need to understand the challenges first generation students face

Submitted 08-29-2017 under OPINION

My mother is a Nurse Tech, my father an immigrant. My grandparents were farmers who spent their lives in the segregated south. From childhood, the importance of higher education was emphasized. Going to college was an expectation. I certainly would...

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